LED vs. MH
- Thread starter jazzyz
- Start date
hatessushi
Active Member
Yes, they are really nice. A bit expensive and I will get one when I upgrade to a bigger tank. My LFS got one for their big display tank and I was really impressed. The color in the reef are tremendous and everything grows really well under them.
All that said I can't really help you technically on them as far as how well they put out compared to MH lighting but I can say they look a lot better IMO.
All that said I can't really help you technically on them as far as how well they put out compared to MH lighting but I can say they look a lot better IMO.
redbora
Member
led- good lights, as strong as mh, compact units, super cool temp wise, great features (ie, built in timer, calendar adjusted to lunar cycles), basically never need to replace leds, but extremely expensive and one guy had extreme difficulties with the unit, the control wasn't working properly, he went threw four units and his tank crashed from unknown reasons but i believe it was caused from inconsistent lighting, but that's another issue
mh-depending on which marker excellent lights, as strong or stronger than leds, sizes of units vary, run pretty hot temp wise, no built in computerized controls (i might be wrong), depending on bulb/ballast marker and length of time bulbs are on replace bulbs half to year and half, with mh it's pretty much a sure bet your going to get a good system(stay away from odyssey), a whole lot less expensive then led units
i say go with mh, the leds are still a bit too new and pricey
mh-depending on which marker excellent lights, as strong or stronger than leds, sizes of units vary, run pretty hot temp wise, no built in computerized controls (i might be wrong), depending on bulb/ballast marker and length of time bulbs are on replace bulbs half to year and half, with mh it's pretty much a sure bet your going to get a good system(stay away from odyssey), a whole lot less expensive then led units
i say go with mh, the leds are still a bit too new and pricey
hatessushi
Active Member
Originally Posted by ejensen
I think they are still in the R&D stage right now. Getting all the bugs out. I Bet in a few years they will be rock solid. By then the price should come down.
If they were in the R&D stage they would not be selling them. Why would anyone sell soemthing that is in development? It would be a support nightmare.
I think they are still in the R&D stage right now. Getting all the bugs out. I Bet in a few years they will be rock solid. By then the price should come down.
If they were in the R&D stage they would not be selling them. Why would anyone sell soemthing that is in development? It would be a support nightmare.
hatessushi
Active Member
Originally Posted by redbora
led- good lights, as strong as mh, compact units, super cool temp wise, great features (ie, built in timer, calendar adjusted to lunar cycles), basically never need to replace leds, but extremely expensive and one guy had extreme difficulties with the unit, the control wasn't working properly, he went threw four units and his tank crashed from unknown reasons but i believe it was caused from inconsistent lighting, but that's another issue
mh-depending on which marker excellent lights, as strong or stronger than leds, sizes of units vary, run pretty hot temp wise, no built in computerized controls (i might be wrong), depending on bulb/ballast marker and length of time bulbs are on replace bulbs half to year and half, with mh it's pretty much a sure bet your going to get a good system(stay away from odyssey), a whole lot less expensive then led units
i say go with mh, the leds are still a bit too new and pricey
The LED's are computer controlled with onboard eprom. If setup and programmed properly there shouldn't be anywhere near the issues we see with any other type of lighting. Also, these can be easily damaged in shipping. Other than that there is nothing wrong with this lighting type.
If I had the money right now I would buy them in a flash.
I agree that the cost will come down after a few years.
led- good lights, as strong as mh, compact units, super cool temp wise, great features (ie, built in timer, calendar adjusted to lunar cycles), basically never need to replace leds, but extremely expensive and one guy had extreme difficulties with the unit, the control wasn't working properly, he went threw four units and his tank crashed from unknown reasons but i believe it was caused from inconsistent lighting, but that's another issue
mh-depending on which marker excellent lights, as strong or stronger than leds, sizes of units vary, run pretty hot temp wise, no built in computerized controls (i might be wrong), depending on bulb/ballast marker and length of time bulbs are on replace bulbs half to year and half, with mh it's pretty much a sure bet your going to get a good system(stay away from odyssey), a whole lot less expensive then led units
i say go with mh, the leds are still a bit too new and pricey
The LED's are computer controlled with onboard eprom. If setup and programmed properly there shouldn't be anywhere near the issues we see with any other type of lighting. Also, these can be easily damaged in shipping. Other than that there is nothing wrong with this lighting type.
If I had the money right now I would buy them in a flash.
I agree that the cost will come down after a few years.
ejensen
Member
Originally Posted by HatesSushi
If they were in the R&D stage they would not be selling them. Why would anyone sell soemthing that is in development? It would be a support nightmare.
Come on now. Car companys do it all the time. Have you heard of a recall???? They test it out. Then sell them. When they come back for repair they figure out what went wrong and hopefully fix it on the next model.
If they were in the R&D stage they would not be selling them. Why would anyone sell soemthing that is in development? It would be a support nightmare.
Come on now. Car companys do it all the time. Have you heard of a recall???? They test it out. Then sell them. When they come back for repair they figure out what went wrong and hopefully fix it on the next model.
marcelostank
Member
Where'd you guys see this LED??
My company installs LEDs as a replacement to exterior lighting... I just ordered a batch of blue diodes from our distributor to make my homemade moonlight...I want to solder them on circuit board and make a reflector for it...
I'd like to know of more LED for SW options...
Thanks,
Marcelo
My company installs LEDs as a replacement to exterior lighting... I just ordered a batch of blue diodes from our distributor to make my homemade moonlight...I want to solder them on circuit board and make a reflector for it...
I'd like to know of more LED for SW options...
Thanks,
Marcelo
X
xoxox
Guest
Originally Posted by marcelostank
Where'd you guys see this LED??
My company installs LEDs as a replacement to exterior lighting... I just ordered a batch of blue diodes from our distributor to make my homemade moonlight...I want to solder them on circuit board and make a reflector for it...
I'd like to know of more LED for SW options...
Thanks,
Marcelo
Go to PFO and look for solaris...
Where'd you guys see this LED??
My company installs LEDs as a replacement to exterior lighting... I just ordered a batch of blue diodes from our distributor to make my homemade moonlight...I want to solder them on circuit board and make a reflector for it...
I'd like to know of more LED for SW options...
Thanks,
Marcelo
Go to PFO and look for solaris...
hatessushi
Active Member
Originally Posted by ejensen
Come on now. Car companys do it all the time. Have you heard of a recall???? They test it out. Then sell them. When they come back for repair they figure out what went wrong and hopefully fix it on the next model.
LED lights does not equal automobiles. Big, Big difference
Come on now. Car companys do it all the time. Have you heard of a recall???? They test it out. Then sell them. When they come back for repair they figure out what went wrong and hopefully fix it on the next model.
LED lights does not equal automobiles. Big, Big difference
mikeyjer
Active Member
Originally Posted by HatesSushi
If they were in the R&D stage they would not be selling them. Why would anyone sell soemthing that is in development? It would be a support nightmare.
They do still have certain issues that they're still working on! Just like anything else, nothing is perfect....Things just break, can't prevent that...My LFS is running one right now and one side of it isn't working at all cause the ballast went out on it. I still like the product, I think it's great to own! PFO came out to our frag swap meeting a couple of weeks ago to show us their product and showing us the par readings between their lighting compared to a XM 20k, what a major difference! IF I had the money I would buy one right now, but the price will come down in a few years like it was already mentioned.... :happyfish
If they were in the R&D stage they would not be selling them. Why would anyone sell soemthing that is in development? It would be a support nightmare.
They do still have certain issues that they're still working on! Just like anything else, nothing is perfect....Things just break, can't prevent that...My LFS is running one right now and one side of it isn't working at all cause the ballast went out on it. I still like the product, I think it's great to own! PFO came out to our frag swap meeting a couple of weeks ago to show us their product and showing us the par readings between their lighting compared to a XM 20k, what a major difference! IF I had the money I would buy one right now, but the price will come down in a few years like it was already mentioned.... :happyfish
pogi pants
Member
I just saw those earlier today, and i was amazed, because earlier last year i was thinking about how many LED's it would take to light my tank up real nice. The only problem is the cost for 72" is like $3,300!!!
I'm going to be getting my DIY T5 with my DIY reflectors for about $300 or less. I figured I wouldn't even spend near that in replacement bulbs for the rest of my life. So unless that price comes down drastically, then I'll just stick with T5's.
I'm going to be getting my DIY T5 with my DIY reflectors for about $300 or less. I figured I wouldn't even spend near that in replacement bulbs for the rest of my life. So unless that price comes down drastically, then I'll just stick with T5's.
hatessushi
Active Member
Originally Posted by ejensen
You need to get out of your tank and see the real world.....
Probably a good idea but I put all my money in my tank and can no longer afford the gas for my car. That's why I order everything online.
You need to get out of your tank and see the real world.....
Probably a good idea but I put all my money in my tank and can no longer afford the gas for my car. That's why I order everything online.
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by jazzyz
just saw these led's that say they r as powerful as 250w 20k, PFO Solaris- 20K - 72" LED Hood. with 40% energy savings this sounds great, anyone have any idea if these are good ligths for reef tanks?
If they are comparing them to 20k MH bulbs then they aren't as good as I thought.
20k bulbs are in the high blue range. They look good, but most corals and anemones seem to grow better around 10k.
Cost aside, I'm sticking to my HQI's until the bugs get worked out of this. We have two eyewitness accounts of issues with this lighting on this board alone. That's pretty poor odds considering how rare they still are.
just saw these led's that say they r as powerful as 250w 20k, PFO Solaris- 20K - 72" LED Hood. with 40% energy savings this sounds great, anyone have any idea if these are good ligths for reef tanks?
If they are comparing them to 20k MH bulbs then they aren't as good as I thought.
20k bulbs are in the high blue range. They look good, but most corals and anemones seem to grow better around 10k.
Cost aside, I'm sticking to my HQI's until the bugs get worked out of this. We have two eyewitness accounts of issues with this lighting on this board alone. That's pretty poor odds considering how rare they still are.
hatessushi
Active Member
I would think you would be able to adjust the output to whatever level you wanted. 10K, 14K, 20K. I'm not sure but I do know that LED output is easily controllable.